The WJP uses a working definition of the rule of law-based on four universal principles:

1. The government and its officials and agents are accountable under the law.
2. The laws are clear, publicized, stable and fair, and protect fundamental rights, including the security of persons and property.
3. The process by which the laws are enacted, administered, and enforced is accessible, efficient, and fair.
4. Justice is delivered by competent, ethical, and independent representatives and neutrals who are of sufficient number, have adequate resources, and reflect the makeup of the communities they serve.

The rule of law affects all aspects of life: it means knowing that police can be trusted to fairly enforce the law; it means that environmental and human safety regulations are adhered to rather than ignored with impunity. It means that impartial courts—not courts acting on behalf of the highest bidder—are available to settle disputes.

Furthermore, rule of law means that education is available to all; that there is no discrimination based on race, sex or income level; that corruption in government and business is not allowed; and that bridges and roads will not fall apart for lack of compliance with building codes.

The WJP works to make rule of law advancement as fundamental to the thinking and work of all professionals as it is to lawyers. Our activities engage professionals from a variety of disciplines—such business leaders, educators, environmentalists, faith leaders, journalists, public health workers, and social workers as well as lawyers, prosecutors, police officers, and judges—in multidisciplinary collaboration to strengthen the rule of law for the development of communities of opportunity and equity.

The WJP Rule of Law Index^® is an assessment tool designed by the World Justice Project to offer a detailed and comprehensive picture of the extent to which countries adhere to the rule of law in practice. The Index provides detailed information and original data regarding a variety of dimensions of the rule of law, which enables stakeholders to assess a nation’s adherence to the rule of law in practice, identify a nation’s strengths and weaknesses in comparison to similarly situated countries, and track changes over time. It is the first index to cover the rule of law comprehensively.

The WJP’s Roderick B. Mathews Opportunity Fund was established in order to support the action-oriented programs conceived by the multidisciplinary coalitions formed at WJP events. The Opportunity Fund provides seed grants to projects which are characterized by their best practices and innovative methods to strengthen the rule of law worldwide. Implementers are working on a variety of rule of law initiatives—from advancing gender equity in Africa to combatting environmental degradation corruption in Asia—across the globe.

The World Justice Project is engaging a variety of disciplines as collaborators to strengthen the rule of law around the world. In so doing, the World Justice Project seeks to make the rule of law as fundamental to the thinking and actions of these disciplines as it is to lawyers.

The World Justice Project is funded by foundations, professional firms, corporations, and individual donors. View a complete list of WJP financial supporters.

The World Justice Project is constantly looking for new partners, both at the individual and institutional level, to join our mission to advance the rule of law worldwide. All aspects of our work are dependent upon the collaboration of different stakeholders. Should you wish to learn more about our mission, our events, and/or possibilities for partnership, please email us at wjp@wjpnet.org.

The World Justice Project welcomes the support of new donors and volunteers. It is with the generous support of our donors and supporters that the World Justice Project is able to stimulate the fundamental change needed to strengthen the rule of law around the world. Donations can be made online at our website www.worldjusticeproject.org/donate or by sending a check to the World Justice Project, 740 15^th Street NW, Second Floor, Washington, DC 20005 USA.